Who Should I Start? Geno Smith or Gardner Minshew

Wednesday, December 31, 3:41 PM

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said that quarterback Geno Smith (ankle) will not play on Sunday against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs in the Week 18 regular-season finale, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. "I hate closing the door on any opportunity, but it's going to be really hard for him," Carroll said. Smith suffered a serious ankle injury in the Week 17 loss to the New York Giants and won't suit up for a meaningless contest to close out the regular season. With the 35-year-old veteran wrapping up a brutal first year in the desert, backup Kenny Pickett is expected to start this weekend. Aidan O'Connell could also end up splitting time with Pickett against KC. Smith was one of the worst starting QBs in football in 2025, completing 67.4% of his 448 pass attempts for 3,205 yards, 19 touchdowns, and a league-leading 17 interceptions in 15 starts.

Wednesday, January 28, 2:31 PM

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew (knee) didn't tear his ACL as initially feared, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Minshew suffered only a bone bruise and did not require surgery. The veteran signal-caller avoided any long-term damage to his knee and is already back to full strength as he heads into free agency in 2026. Minshew was forced into action late in the season after Patrick Mahomes (knee) tore his ACL in Week 15. In his first start of the season in Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans, Minshew injured his left knee and missed the final few games of the year. The 29-year-old was initially believed to have a torn ACL before the Chiefs said he had a non-displaced tibial plateau fracture. This news might make it more likely that Minshew returns to KC as QB insurance for Mahomes again. In four appearances in 2025, Minshew went 6-for-13 for 37 yards with one interception.